a VERY limited Louis Vuitton...hehe

The main reason this Louis Vuitton bag won't last forever? 'Cause it's made of sugar and flour!


Gregory Soriano, a master baker, created this CAKE in a tribute to the Louis Vuitton Patchwork Tribute bag from last year. I am ogling this photo and just can't get my head wrapped around that this is a cake, and not some whimsical sculpture. Dubbed the "World's Most Expensive Cake," I actually wonder how much a cake of this artistic quality would go for. He has some other designs as well, but this one really, ahem, takes the cake. :D

The cake is above, while the purse that inspired it is below.


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the ugly side of Louis

WWD Japan revealed on their cover a sneak peek of the exclusive collaboration between Louis Vuitton and Comme des Garcons. Starting in September, there will be a pop-up store selling six exclusive bags, all designed by Rei Kawakubo, featuring the classic monogram canvas and leather, albeit with some, ahem, whimsical twists, like extra handles, or two handles morphed into one. The store will only be around for 3 months, and will only be in Tokyo.


I took a gander. I paused. And the first thought in my mind... What is this HIDEOUS eight-armed atrocity? It's absolutely ridiculous. I can't even label this an artistic piece. It seems very trivial and silly. This is supposed to celebrate the two esteemed brands?!?

There is just something so plainly revolting and convoluted about these designer collabs that I feel speechless. Where is the DEE-ZIGN?!?!? I don't see it here. I'm not even talking about the practicality factor, which this bag obviously does not have, but pure aesthetics, that makes one proud to carry a bag, any bag. This is not one of them. It took my breath away because it is such a sorry looking piece of crap.

I have been a devoted LV fan for years, back when the pieces were classic (Vernis is my fave line, all the way), and it was such a luxury item that one doted on and took care of, and wore with some level of pride and fancy. Nowadays, the brand has devoted itself to so many hit-and-run, sometimes successful, sometimes tacky projects that it has lost a lot of appeal for me. These new "limited" pieces don't excite me at all. If anything, I'm dumbfounded that anyone, fan or critic, would think that these are cool at all.

Am I just being too conservative? I hope not, as I always prided myself on having a clean, appreciative eye for the finer things in life. These creations really look shoddy and uninventive to me. I don't understand the hype, if only to allow ppl to hate it, much like I do, and spew venom about it on blogs. Haha...but I digress...really, this is is JUST - SO - UGLY!!!

I took a quick look at Comme des Garcons' designs, and there are some really cool, edgy stuff in there. Their color thematics fall into the blacks and whites, the lines are very post-modern and not frilly at all. I would have LOVED to see them re-invent the LV brand into something that was in line w/ their usual perspective. That to me would be a true collab. Taking stock LV canvas and changing (or in this case, adding) stupidly useless handles does not equate a genuine collab for me. It's an insult to a true LV lover and anyone who has the moneybags to afford this useless crap. It is a sad day in the world of LV.

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the bag I had to walk away from...

My mind is going in circles 'cause yesterday, I was at a Chanel boutique and I saw this Melrose Cabas in Coral Satin, and it was on SALE, and it was SO adorable, and my heart wanted it, but my head said no, it was completely impractical - too big and would dirty easily - and it was more beautiful as a display piece than functional as a bag. In my mind, I pictured myself walking along Newbury, carrying this gorgeous bag, but it just didn't make sense. If I was walking around, I wouldn't carry that much stuff. And other than gym clothes, who would need a bag this bag on a daily basis? I don't have a kid, so I wouldn't stuff diapers in there (although w/ the satin, more the reason NOT to?).

So I had to walk away, alas, and bid it farewell. I have my eyes on a very beautiful Chanel bag, so I musn't get distracted by other bags that won't fit my lifestyle. Poopy...

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handbag giveaway

Karen Kooper and Trashbag Aesthetics have teamed up for a great giveaway: a Chloé Edith handbag! Check out their site for more details. :)

"Silly Likky, Hermès are for the serious wealthy!"

Speaking of Hermès, these have got to be the most impractical but beautiful bags I have ever seen. These are silk bags that fold into a leather pouch. When you want to use one, unzip the leather pouch, pull out the silk, and voilà, an instant tote bag, with the leather parts as your bag's bottom.

my fave design is right above :)

I love the designs. They're ornate, colorful, the art is just dazzling, really. This would be a wonderful bag to carry around in Paris when we visit in September, but knowing me, I'll probably dirty them up faster than I can finish up a mug of hot chocolate at Angelina. Like I always say, when it comes to Hermès, all I can do is dream. :P


Hermès SilkyPop Bags - $960

Jen's Fab Bags...

While I'm still keen on one day of owning an Hermès Kelly in black and gold (yah, yah, I can keep dreaming), I noticed a fantastic alternative that just might not require as much $$ or as long a wait.

Jennifer Aniston has been gallivanting around the globe in not one, but two very modern and practical Hermès Massai bags. I esp. love the grey one, which looks so pretty and contemporary and clean. I have this thing where I don't like it when the straps of a bag are merely sewn on, so the fact that these handles are attached by buckles really does it for me. (Now if only the Birkin had buckles at the handles, that would make it even more perfect.)


Jennifer has always been known for her classic, clean styles, and never one to jump on trends, so the fact that she bought this style in two colors and in two different sizes shows that she sees instant longevity for this style. Anyhow, it'll be a long way before I own anything from Hermès, but it's nice to know that they have other nice designs other than the obvious "It" bags.

P.S. Notice her cute pink passport cover!


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Monogramoufugly Part 2

I have to reiterate from an earlier post, but this is one of the most nauseating designs from Louis Vuitton in a long time. And to think, this is from Murakami, who I have been an avid fan of for the last few years!

Rihanna was carrying this Speedy with the new camouflage pattern. While the bag goes with her sharp, edgy look, as a bag on its own, it's just plain fug. It's beyond hideous. The mix of that pattern and the logos, none of it melded well, and it's all so, so wrong.


I hope this style goes away quickly and quietly, as I certainly don't forsee any legs for this trend. I mean, this is certainly one way to kill the brand.

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Totes for a Cause #5

If you love Marc Jacobs or Andy Warhol, and want to declare it to the world, Marc has put his Interview magazine cover (where he posed as Warhol) on a limited canvas bag, sold only in his stores, where 100% of the proceeds benefit the Andy Warhol Museum of Pittsburgh.


While the bag does nothing for me (I actually find the imagery a tad on the creepy side), as this bag is cheap for MJ, is for a good cause, and a trendier alternative than some other "go green" bags, I find no faults with this bag, which will certainly make a great stocking stuffer (shop now for Christmas!). :P

Marc Jacobs Special Interview Magazine Tote - $15 - only at Marc Jacobs Stores

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Chanel Mobile Art Museum

I absolutely can't wait to see this exhibit. Chanel has created a Mobile Art Museum, in other words, a moving museum, that will be traveling the world. Having already exhibited in Hong Kong and currently in Tokyo, it will make its way to New York, London, Moscow, and finally ending in Paris. In a nutshell, the entire project is described succinctly below:


The ingenious aspect of this project is that not only will the objets d'art in the museum be traveling, but so will this entire structure, the building (or pavilion) that was designed to be installed and uninstalled from city to city. You can view the structure being put together on their website.

Since different artists have contributed to this show, I'm not sure how relevant these pieces below are, as some of them come from their actual retail line. However, since they appeared on their site, I thought it was worth showing as well.


I love how Karl Lagerfeld continues to excite and dramatize the brand, but through very unconventional avenues, and not through obvious marketing ploys. Unlike the Murakami introspective, which thrived to profit through their art exhibits by selling as many limited Louis Vuittons as possible (no, that is not contempt you are hearing...or is it?!), not only are these Chanel-inspired art pieces not for sale, the admission to go in the museum (as I'm checking the Tokyo listing) is free of charge. Absolute Chanel heaven!

The exhibit will be in New York in October of this year, so I will definitely make a trip to check it out.

Chanel Mobile Art Museum - exhibiting around the world until February 2010 - check for city nearest you

looking hot in Chanel

I don't know this Japanese artist, Nao Matsushita, at all, but I came across these photos of her in Chanel, and just loved how she was able to carry all the different styles of the label so well. I esp. loved the outfit up top; so clean, modern, edgy, and feminine all at the same time.

I def. wouldn't mind owning a wardrobe like this!


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patchwork paradise

More and more I'm loving this Dolce & Gabbana Snakeskin Patchwork bag every time I see it. While I prefer the styles that Jessica Simpson and Beyonce carried, as they look more streamlined without the hard frame and all those extra flaps and pockets to take away from the already dazzling pattern, eLuxury is offering several different designs from this collection. Carrying a whole bag like this may be too much, but the wallet, that's something to mull over... :)


Dolce & Gabbana Patchwork Snakeskin Change Purse - $450
Dolce & Gabbana Miss Pocket Patchwork Snakeskin Satchel - $2,995
Dolce & Gabbana Runway Miss Pocket Patchwork Snakeskin North/South Bag - $3,995

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Totes for a Cause #4

If you still haven't gone out and picked up a tote bag for your groceries in place of plastic bags, here are some more adorable choices. Pick either the "Green Living" design or the "Resist Plastic" design, and you will be helping the planet that much more. A portion of sales from these bags will also go to the World Wildlife Fund. Happy shopping!


Go Green Totes - "Green Living" or "Resist Plastic" - $28 each at FredFlare.com

tired of logos?

Now this is a fun bag! Longchamp and Jeremy Scott have come together to design a limited-edition bag only for Colette. While this is obviously tongue-in-cheek when it comes to our obsessions with consumerism, it is a fresh design that isn't for the logo-obsessed (I plead the Fifth!), but is cute and happy-looking. This bag is relatively affordable, and great for traveling, or a weekend out of town.

Snatch one today before they're all sold out!

Longchamp x Jeremy Scott Gold Card Pliage bag - €175 at Colette.com

To Fendi, or Not to Fendi?

Almost 2 months ago I blogged about a little white Fendi that I saw in a magazine, but never quite brought myself up to calling or inquiring about it in the store. General lack of coverage of it on their website told me it might have just been an Asian exclusive, but now, I think it might not, and I don't know what to do!!!

I was traveling a lot last week for work (hence my very sporadic posts), when I was in the San Francisco Airport, sitting in the American Airlines terminal when I saw a woman carrying this exact bag. It was even cuter in person! Surprisingly, the bag is not simply patent leather, but little clear sequins cover the entire body of the bag. It was very small...so it doesn't carry a whole lot except for the key essentials. The unique color combinations look very cool even from afar.

I've been very good all year, not thinking about buying another bag (I simply have too many!), but now I'm seriously considering it, as I just loved it from day one, and also, I don't actually own a Fendi, so what a fun bag to start with. What do you think? Should I give it a shot? On this website, it is going for $899, but I would rather see if the stores have it themselves before I consider these third-party companies.


Please let me know what you think!

D&G needs to apologize to those snakes

Lindsay Lohan was carrying one of the limited edition bags from Dolce & Gabbana. Have to say, I'm not loving it at all. The acidic colors don't meld very well; there doesn't seem to be much rhyme or reason when you see it being carried vs. it sitting in a photo. Really, it's the jarring colors that I have something against. Considering that these are precious skins, I don't feel like these colors, or the design of this bag, really honor the qualities that one should give to an animal that died to become your bag. So there you have it. Those poor pythons died to become a putrid green and purple accessory. Something very sad and tragic about that...

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I spy the Mancrazy

I spied in this paparazzi photo Ashlee Simpson carrying the LV Mancrazy bag. Oddly enough, it looks more like a Speedy in the way it sags, rather than a rigid bag, which is how it appears in the press photo.

I never knew Ashlee as an LV girl, while I always associated her sister Jessica as the LV queen, but perhaps her love for LV is rubbing off?

Louis Vuitton Monogram Joke Collection - Mancrazy bag - $2,710

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a nice surprise in the mail :)

I want to thank The Moment staff for sending me a cool little tote that was from a press kit for Milan Design Week. This #4 tote was designed to promote Established & Sons, a British-based design and manufacturing firm known best for their inventive furniture.

Thanks again, I love it! :)

Totes for a Cause #3

I absolutely adore this Wine and Bread tote from Rebecca Minkoff. It has an air of rustic/farmer's market to it, evoking a great loaf of crusty French bread and beautiful bottle of Reisling that one can tote to a picnic along the Charles.

Not only that, but if you purchase this tote directly from RM's website, 5% of profits benefit the Earth Organization. I personally love the royal blue tote. :)


Rebecca Minkoff Wine and Bread Tote - Royal Blue or Chocolate - $185